CW - End of the World

This is the follow on story to CW – Hello Walls. Most readers were up on arms about the way I left the hero, Alan, in a world of crap. This is the completion of that story.

It has been only a few months since Alan had taken up that apartment in Seattle and the previous story "Hello Walls" occurred.

Alan sat at the small corner table in the shabby, dimly lit bar. Taking a sip of his bourbon on the rocks, he almost spat it out. "Christ," he thought, "I can't even afford a decent drink, I got to buy this rot gut rail bourbon."

Alan had continued to crash and burn. He was working as a junior technician in the local hospital's medical testing lab. He was qualified for a much better job, but his continuing drinking problem had cost him three such jobs in the last ten months. He was lucky to have this job at the moment, since he had reported to work late three of the last five days.

His immediate supervisor was a 'Friend of Bill W.' and was working with Alan on addressing his drinking problem. But even this understanding man was about at the end of his toleration. He had told Alan that if he was late just one more in the next thirty days, he was out of another job.

Alan was listening to the old fashion jukebox playing a song by Skeeter Davis. He was listening to the words and comparing his own miserable life to that of the song.

Why does the sun go on shining?
Why does the sea rush to shore?
Don't they know it's the end of the world,
'Cause you don't love me any more?

Alan was just raising his hand to take another drink when a hand came over his shoulder and grabbed his wrist. A voice said, "Put it down you dumb shit. You don't need that."

Alan shot a glance over his shoulder and saw his supervisor standing there.

Alan pulled his arm loose and said, "Don't bother me. I'm off duty. As long as I show up on time for work tomorrow, you have nothing to say to me."

His supervisor sighed, "Alan, believe it or not I do have something to say to you. I'm a drunk just like you are. It's been three years, four months and three days since I last took a drink. I know what you are going through trying to give it up."

Alan smirked, "Give it up. Hell, I don't want to give it up. Getting drunk let's me forget how badly I have been screwed over. At least it let's me forget for a while."

With that he tipped the glass and drained the remaining amber liquid. He got the bartender's attention and held his glass up indicating he wanted another.

His supervisor looked at the bartender and shook his head. The bartender nodded and went back to wiping glasses.

Alan caught the exchange between his supervisor and the bartender and stood up, wheeled to face his supervisor and screamed, "Get out of my business. Just leave me alone!" He pushed his supervisor toward the door and then he turned to the bar and yelled, "You, bartender, damn you, make me another drink right now!"

The bartender stopped wiping the glass and sat it down on the counter. He looked at Alan and growled, "Buddy, I don't have to fix you shit! You're drunk again. Pay up and get out. I don't need any trouble from you tonight."

Alan was in an intoxicated fog. All he knew was these men were not allowing him to drink his memories away tonight. He was pissed about that. He stumbled to the bar and tried to grab the bartender by his shirt.

That was a bad move on his part. The bartender was an ex-NFL lineman who had blown out his knee in his rookie year. He dispatched Alan with little problem and called the police.

The cops who responded to the call took Alan to the station. He slept it off in the holding tank. They may have cut him a break, but he took a swing at the first blue suit he saw and they were forced to arrest him. They did cut him a small break by only arresting him for drunk and disorderly. They could have gotten him for taking a swing at a cop.

His supervisor was forced to fire him for not showing up at work the next morning.

One week later he had his day in court. He had been arrested for public intoxication over half a dozen times and the judge finally got fed up with his repeat offenses. He was sentenced to three months in the sheriff's rehab facility.

Alan accepted the regimentation placed on him by the rehabilitation team. He never complained or caused trouble, but he also never seemed to be interested in his surroundings. He went to the group and individual sessions as ordered by the court. He just didn't participate. He had been in the center for one month as we take up the story.

Alan's caseworker, Samuel Jenkins, was starring at him as he sat across the desk in one of the rehab center's private counseling rooms. "Alan, why are you being so stubborn? Just go with the flow and start actively participating in your sessions. You are a model inmate except for this stubborn attitude toward those folks trying to help you."

Alan thinly smiled and replied, "Mr. Jenkins, I try to do what I am told and not be a pain in the ass to any of the guards or workers here. But I just don't have the energy or desire to participate. Granted that I'm thinking clearer now than I was when I came into this place, and I feel the steady diet of healthy food has been good for me, but, you see, I just don't give a shit about my future. After all that has happened in my life, it's a wonder I just don't end this misery."

Sam Jenkins sat up sharply and looked at his charge in the eye. "Are you telling me you are contemplating suicide?"

Alan thought for a second and replied, "No, no, I'm not that crazy. Yet! I'm just saying that my use of alcohol is to deaden my memories of prior events in my life. I really don't even like booze, but booze helps me forget."

Sam studied Alan's face for a minute or more and then said, "Will you tell me about it? What has got you so depressed? Nothing can be that bad!"

At first, Alan resisted telling Jenkins anything. After several minutes of persuasion by Jenkins Alan finally relented, "Okay, okay, I give up! You want to know, I'll tell you."

With that Alan launched into his story about Aaron Walls, his ex-wife Kate, the framing of Alan by Aaron, and finally the stealing of his wife and son.

Sam sat still stunned by what he had heard and thought, "How can anyone be evil enough to do such things to this man?"

At first Sam refused to believe his Alan's story. Later that day after Alan had gone to his group session, Sam looked into Alan's dossier. What was there tended to support Alan's story. He had been married to a woman named Kate and they did have a son named Alex. The report also stated that Kate refused to even discuss her life with Alan other then to say she left him for cheating on her multiple times and she had the evidence to prove it. The report went on to indicate that she had remarried to a man named Aaron Walls the day the divorce from Alan became finally.

Sam chewed on Alan's story and the facts he had in his file. Sam thought, "My god, if this is true and it happened to me, I probably would have done myself in! Alan may be stronger than anyone has given him credit for. Sam finally decided that a new tact might dig Alan out of his self-destructive attitude. The rehab center called the inmates, "residents". Sam reviewed all of the residents' files looking for a certain type of man. He finally found what he was looking for in one Juan Jesus Martinez.

The inmates shared two-man cells at the rehab center. At night they were locked in. He was going to move Alan to a new cell Martinez, a resident kicking a bad cocaine addiction. He brought Martinez in the day before the move and discussed Alan's case with him. "Juan, look, I know you have your own monkey on your back and are working very hard to clean up your act, but I need your help. And looking at your file, you can definitely help. You were a practicing psychologist before you took up coke, right?"

Juan nodded and stated, "Yeh, actually I was practicing before I went up for the two year stint on beating the shit out of my wife's lover. I lost my license with that felony. I took up coke during that stint in prison. It almost killed me this last year and I'm glad to be out detox."

Sam nodded his head and then explained to Juan what Alan had stated had occurred in his life. Juan's hands turned whiter and whiter and they gripped the arms of his chair as Sam repeated Alan's story.

Juan was aghast, "What a pile of shit this Walls guy is! Not to mention the low-class way the wife pissed all over this poor guy!"

Sam explained what he needed from Juan. Juan nodded several times and finally stood up. "Mr. Jenkins, don't worry. Give me some time with this poor bastard. I'll get him to face his life and take control of it. I might pity this Aaron Walls character when we get this guy's head screwed on straight!"

One month later –

True to his word, Juan succeeded beyond his wildest dreams to rehab Alan's mental state. Over the first month, he had gotten Alan to talk about his life. Alan had finally told him the whole story about Walls and Kate and his being framed. Juan told Alan his whole story about finding out about his wife fucking Juan's cousin's husband and how they had tried to screw him out of his money and property. He talked about how it took him several years but he had gotten revenge on the two adulterers by using some highly prized resources he had become friends with during his stint in prison.

He and Alan actually began to work on several revenge scenarios for Mr. Aaron Walls.

As Alan became more and more involved with Juan in planning for dealing with Aaron Walls, he became more involved in the day-to-day activities of the center. Alan was now not only participating in his rehab sessions; he was becoming a leader in making the sessions as productive as possible for everyone.

The reports from the center staff to Sam Jenkins became glowing and highly supportive of Alan's attitude in improving himself. It was obvious to everyone that Alan was no longer willing to hide in a bottle of alcohol.

One day Sam Jenkins announced to Alan, "you are to be released from the center next Monday. You have made remarkable improvement in your outlook on life. Do you think you are ready to leave?"

Alan pondered the question for several seconds and replied, "Yes, I am. I feel more like a whole man now than I have in many dark months. I can face my past without hiding away in a bottle. I am looking ahead to resolving the domestic issues remaining in my life and making a new start."

Sam Jenkins stood up and stuck out his hand to Alan, "Best of luck to you. And we hope we never see you around here again!"

Alan shook his hand and returned to his cell. Juan was reading a magazine when Alan returned. Juan raised his eyebrows in question and Alan laughed. "Monday. I'm out of here."

Juan jumped up and shook Alan's hand. "That's great. Now let's start getting your travel pack ready." The 'travel pack' was a small knapsack containing almost a ream of paper outlining different ways to get back at Mr. Aaron Walls. Some other papers pertained to Alan's ex-wife, Kate and son, Alex. Juan and Alan had worked out scenarios to win back Kate and recover his son. Other scenarios involved making her pay dearly for her lack of trust and failing to even talk

to Alan about his supposed cheating. In all cases, except one, Alan would end up with his son back.

Monday morning came and Juan stood in front of Alan with his hand on Alan's shoulder. "Via con dios, my friend. You are now a fully restored man. Go do what you have to. Make your decisions on which of our plans to use as your heart guides you at the moment.

Alan nodded his head and said, "Yes, I will take that advice. But right now I have to get a good paying job to make the money I need for doing any of these plans. I've apologized to my old supervisor and he has hired me back at the hospital lab. He says if I keep my nose clean, he can offer me a supervisor position in about six months."

With that Juan and Alan parted company. Alan was released on probation and went back to work at the hospital lab. For the next few months he was diligent and applied himself to reviving his career. One day he received a call from Juan.

"Juan, how are you my dear friend?" Alan asked when heard Juan's voice on the phone.

"Alright my good friend. And you?" Juan replied.

"Doing well. I am in line for that promotion. I hope to have enough money together to implement one of our plans in a few more months."

"Alan, I have done something awful. I started using again and got caught up in a dug deal that went very bad. I, I… I killed a man. I am being held at the county jail on remand." Juan stuttered out.

Alan was shocked and tried to soothe Juan's emotions. "Look Juan, why don't I come and visit you and let's talk. What time is your visiting hours?"

Juan told him and the next day Alan went to visit his now best friend. They sat at a table in the visitor's area.

They spoke at length about Juan's legal problems and Juan admitted that he deserved a long sentence for what he had done. They also spoke about Alan's problems and Juan said hoped he had truly helped Alan revive his life. Alan smiled broadly and said, "My good friend, if it wasn't for you, I would probably have been dead by now. Thank you for your help."

Juan reached in his pocket, pulled out a small black book and slid it on the table to Alan, "Take this, my friend. It contains the names, numbers and email addresses of all of the 'resources' I've told you about over our time in rehab. And then when you need to, use what you find on page 22. What you find on page 22 is for you to use to do battle with this Walls guy. It comes to you with no strings attached for I will not need it, nor be able to use it. Just make sure you get that cocksucker Walls good. As I say, I will not need what is contained on page 22."

They talked a few more minutes and Alan left to go to work. Alan had asked to pull a double shift to try to make a little extra cash. For the next sixteen hours he labored over beakers, glass slides, and Bunsen burners performing the lab tests that had been ordered by the various doctors.

When he got home, he was dead tired and, still in his clothes, he fell in bed and was immediately asleep.

He awoke in the morning and put on coffee. He showered, dressed, and sat down to view the morning local news on TV while drinking his first coffee of the day. The reporter was droning on and on about the current drought in the area. Alan was not paying to much attention to the newscast. Suddenly a man's voice broke into the telecast, "Ladies and gentlemen, we break in to report this breaking news story." Alan looked up at the TV and saw a picture of his friend, Juan

Martinez, being displayed. The newscaster's voice continued, "This morning at about 6 A.M., Juan Martinez, a county jail prisoner awaiting trial on murder charges, attempted to escape from detention. He was shot and killed before he could reach the street outside of the jail. More details will follow as they unfold." And the TV returned to the draught discussion still being held.

Alan turned off the TV and set down at his small kitchen table stunned at the news. He glanced at his watch and saw he had to hurry to make it to work. He grabbed his coat and left. He pulled another double shift and fell in bed again. The next day he read all of the local papers about the attempted escape and the funeral arrangements, and then he went to work again. He asked his supervisor for two hours off to attend Juan's funeral the next day. His supervisor knew about Juan's positive influence on Alan's turn around from alcohol and immediately agreed. "Heck Alan, you've been busting your butt the last few weeks with all of these double shifts, your work is perfect and the hospital staff is happy with you. You've turned things around and I know Juan was a big part of it, so take the whole afternoon off and properly honor your departed friend."

Alan did indeed attend the funeral. There were several of Juan's relatives present but Alan decided not to impose on them. He would mourn his friend by himself.

After the funeral he returned home and decided to straighten up his apartment a little. He moved some mail and found the black book that Juan had given him. He had forgotten all about it until now. He sat down and opened the book. In Juan's bold hand was the names and contact information for all of Juan's so called 'resources'. He had even indexed the names as to what their specialty areas were. Leafing through the book he came to page 22.

It contained the name and address of a lawyer not far from the hospital. It also contained three lines of instructions and passwords to be given by Alan to the lawyer. At the top and bottom of the page it simply said, Revenge Funds.

Alan called the number of the lawyer and gave the receptionist his name and the pass phrase Juan had instructed him to use.

Within 30 seconds, a deep voice answered, "Mr. Alan Sizemore? What is your password?"

Alan opened the book and found the entry, "Eh, it's 'revenge'."

"That is correct. When can you meet me at the First National Bank on Spruce Street?" The deep voice asked.

"Well, I have off this afternoon. But I realize you're probably very busy and …" Alan started to say.

"The bank closes at 4:30. Meet me there at 4. I will stand next to the front door. Is that satisfactory?" The voice said.

"Eh, sure, okay, 4 o'clock. Do I need to bring..." Alan was asking when the line went dead.

Alan, put the small black book in his pocket and noting the time, began walking toward the bank.

It was only ten blocks a day and the weather was nice.

He arrived at the bank at ten of four. He was unsure what to do until four. He saw a Lincoln Town Car pull in the parking lot. A large well dressed man got out and walked briskly toward the front door. He looked at his watch and slowed his walk up to and through the door.

Alan saw him take up a position just inside the door. This must be his man.

Alan entered and walked to the man and said, "Hi, I'm Alan Sizemore, you said to meet you here…"

The man interrupted and asked, "Pass phrase, please." Alan was somewhat confused but then remembered that the book had multiple lines of instructions. He pulled the book out and found the next entry, "The pass phrase is 'dead meat', right?"

"Yes, come on." The man turned and walked toward the safety deposit boxes area.

He presented a key and id to the girl at the desk. She had him sign a card and said, "Follow me, please." The big guy waved to Alan to take a seat in one of the small rooms in the safety deposit box area. The man sat his briefcase down next to Alan and than he and the girl disappeared into the vault. About one minute later, the man returned carrying a steel deposit box. He sat it down on the counter next to Alan and said, "What is in here is yours. It is yours as a gift from Juan. Juan was my brother-in-law. I'm doing what Juan asked me to do."

He opened his briefcase and removed a folded up large brown paper grocery bag. "Here's a bag. Take whatever is in the case. Leave nothing here. I will turn the box in when you leave."

With that the man exited the room and sat down in a chair to wait for Alan to finish his business.

Alan slowly opened the box. He gasped. There in front of him was row after row of bundles of hundred-dollar bills. On top of the money was a handwritten note. He opened the note and immediately knew it was Juan's handwriting.

The note read:

Dear Alan,

I guess I am dead by now. I can't live with what I did when I killed that man. I will end this guilt I have.

I want you to take the three hundred thousand dollars in the box and use it to get the justice you so richly deserve. No one knows about this money except my brother-in-law and now you.